Rotary cutter assembly

ABSTRACT

A rotary cutter ( 74 ) is rotated by a motor ( 76 ) through a drive and a belt ( 326 ) inside of a combination guard and belt tensioner assembly ( 260 ). The rotary cutter ( 74 ) includes a cutter head ( 82 ) having integral blade holders ( 92 ) which slideably receive knives ( 90 ) in a channel ( 230 ) each having a detent ( 236 ) which is received in an aperture ( 91 ) in the knife ( 90 ) so that no fasteners or moveable parts are provided for holding the knives ( 90 ) and adjustment of the knives ( 90 ) is not needed or allowed. Guard quarters ( 266, 314 ) and a guard half ( 268 ) are held in a closed position by a single latch ( 325 ). The guard half ( 268 ) includes an idler ( 300 ) which tensions the belt ( 326 ) in the closed position. The second guard quarter ( 314 ) mounted upon a pivotable cover ( 306 ) together with the mount ( 262 ) for the motor ( 76 ) defines an enclosure for the rotary cutter ( 74 ) and abuts with the guard half ( 268 ) in their closed positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to assemblies useable in thefield of rotary cutting, particularly to easily removable guardsperforming multiple functions and to rotary cutters, which are believedto produce synergistic results when utilized together.

The production of many food products involves the extrusion of cookedfood material under pressure through a die port as an extrudate and thento cut that extrudate into lengths as it exits the die ports in the die.A common technique for cutting the extrudate is the use of a rotarycutter which rotates multiple blades past die ports located in acircular pattern in the die. It can be appreciated that the blades aresubject to wear and need replacement. In this regard, rotary cutters areoften serviced or at least inspected whenever it is necessary to servicethe die.

It can be appreciated that safety guards are needed to enclose therotary cutter and drive therefor to prevent engagement by personnel orclothing as well as to retain the cut food products in an uncontaminatedenvironment and to prevent engagement of the cut food products with thedrive. However, it should be appreciated that such guards must allowaccess when it is desired to service the rotary cutter and/or die. Priorto the present invention, such guards often required removal of severalfasteners and often components themselves. Also, components for suchprior guards accomplished only single functions, adding complexity tothe assembly.

Servicing the rotary cutter itself also created problems. Particularly,blades of the rotary cutter were held on the blade holders by a clampplate typically with two or more fasteners. Additionally, the bladesand/or blade holders were adjustable so that the cutting angle relativeto the die face could be adjusted for optimum operation. However,removing or loosening fasteners was time consuming and added to theoverall complexity of the rotary cutter itself. Furthermore, adjustingthe blades is a time consuming process even for a skilled operator.Additionally, if not adjusted properly, the blades can cut poorlyresulting in defective food products and/or can result in increasedwear, breakage, or other damage to the face of the die and/or to theblades themselves. As an example, an incorrect angle of the blade couldbe compensated by increasing the engagement pressure of the blade withthe die, with frictional forces and wear being directly dependent uponthe engagement pressure. In addition to increased operating costs as theresult of shortened operating life of the components themselves,concerns arise of metal filings and/or pieces being introduced with thefood product.

Thus, a need exists for improved rotary cutters which overcome thedeficiencies of prior rotary cutters including but not limited to theneed for adjustment and fasteners. Additionally, a need exists forimproved assemblies which overcome the deficiencies of prior guardsincluding but not limited to complexity, lack of easy access and singlefunction components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these needs and other problems in the fieldof assemblies useable in the field of rotary cutting by providing, inthe preferred form, a rotary cutter having a knife support surface of ablade holder integrally formed with the cutter head such that the angleof the knife support surface and the knife removably attached thereto ina single, nonvariable and nonadjustable potential position can not bevaried relative to the rotation axis of the cutter head.

In further aspects of the present invention, the knife which isrestrained to slide along a single slide direction on and parallel to aknife support surface is prevented from sliding in the single slidedirection by a detent received in an aperture included in the knife mostpreferably spaced from the edges of the knife.

In still other aspects of the present invention, first and second guardquarters and a guard half are provided with the second guard quarterbeing moveable between a guard position and an access position and withthe guard half being moveable between a closed position and an openposition. The second guard quarter is prevented from moving from theguard position when the second guard half is in the closed position.Access is prevented to drive elements such as for a motor and a rotarycutter in the guard and closed positions.

In other aspects of the present invention, a guard receiving therotatably interconnecting assemblage of a drive prevents a cover frompivoting from an enclosure position while in a guard position and ispivotable to an open position allowing the cover to pivot from theenclosure position to an access position. In the enclosure position, anenclosure is defined for a second element rotatable about an axis. Inthe access position, access is allowed to the second element.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel rotarycutter where the blades are held in correct positions and which removethe ability to manually adjust the blades.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a novelrotary cutter where the blades can be easily and quickly replaced byrelatively unskilled personnel.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelrotary cutter where the blades are held without the use of fasteners,clamp plates or similar moveable and/or removable components.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelrotary cutter of a simple construction reducing fabrication and assemblycosts.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novelassembly for enclosing a drive.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveldrive enclosing assembly including components performing multiplefunctions.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveldrive enclosing assembly which can be easily and quickly opened toprovide access when desired.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveldrive enclosing assembly having interlocking components requiring movingof components before other components can be moved.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome clearer in light of the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection withthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rotary cutter assembly fabricatedin accordance with the preferred teachings of the present invention andin an operating condition.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the rotary cutter assemblyof FIG. 1 in a servicing condition.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a cutter head of the rotary cutterassembly of FIG. 1, with portions being shown in phantom.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the rotary cutter assembly ofFIG. 1 according to section line 4—4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the rotary cutter assembly ofFIG. 1 similar to FIG. 4 but showing the knife in the process of beingremoved.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the rotary cutter assembly ofFIG. 1 according to section line 6—6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the rotary cutter assembly ofFIG. 1 according to section line 7—7 of FIG. 2.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings ofthe present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respectto number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to formthe preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skillof the art after the following teachings of the present invention havebeen read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similarrequirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after thefollowing teachings of the present invention have been read andunderstood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms“axial”, “radial”, “second”, “side”, “end”, “inner”, “outer”, “inside”,“outside”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understoodthat these terms have reference only to the structure shown in thedrawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and areutilized only to facilitate describing the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A rotary cutter assembly according to the preferred teachings of thepresent invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated 11.Assembly 11 generally includes a rotary cutter 74 which is rotatablymounted relative to a die 42 for a cooker/extruder. It can beappreciated that the cooker/extruder can be of any desired configurationincluding but not limited to of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,577,437; 5,776,534 or 5,919,509, each of which are incorporated hereinby reference. Die 42 can be suitably secured to the cooker/extruder andmay include provisions for allowing easy change of the die and/or rotarycutter such as but not limited to by including mechanisms of the typeshown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,433,490; 5,577,437; 6,152,021; 6,167,798and/or 6,189,439, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the most preferred form, each rotary cutter 74 includes a centershaft 80 extending axially from die 42 and defining the rotation axis ofrotary cutter 74. As an example, shaft 80 could be threadably receivedin die 42, could extend through die 42 and be axially fixed thereto suchas by a snap ring or by being threadably received in a nut, or the like.In the most preferred form, a bearing spacer or hub 84 is suitably fixedon center shaft 80 such as by a bolt 85 or the like threadably receivedin the free end of center shaft 80 and sandwiching hub 84 against anenlarged portion of center shaft 80. A cylindrical mount 86 is rotatablymounted to hub 84 by suitable provisions 88 such as first and secondroller bearings as shown and located and axially fixed between hub 84and cylindrical mount 86. A cutter head 82 is suitably secured in anonrotatable manner to the upstream face of mount 86 such as by sockethead cap screws 87 and dowel pins 89. Thus, cutter head 82 is rotatedabout the axis defined by center shaft 80 relative to die 42. Aplurality of radially extending knives 90 abut and slide on thedownstream face of die 42 and cut the food exiting die 42 into axiallengths.

Knives 90 are removably mounted to cutter head 82. In the preferredform, knives 90 are planar of a generally rectangular shape. The frontedges of knives 90 are ground to a cutting profile for engaging andsliding on the downstream face of die 42. Knives 90 are formed oftempered and polished spring steel in the preferred form and have aninherent resiliency. Each knife 90 includes an aperture 91 closelyadjacent but spaced from the rear edge, intermediate the side edges, andspaced from the front edge.

In a preferred form, cutter head 82 is formed by an annular plate 200having an upstream face 202, a downstream face 204, a center opening206, and a generally circular periphery 208. Center shaft 80 passesthrough opening 206 in a noninterfering manner. Downstream face 204includes a counter bore 210 for receiving a pilot shoulder formed oncylindrical mount 86. Counter bores 212 extend between faces 202 and 204for slideably receiving screws 87 with the heads of screws 87 beingrecessed below face 202. Bores 214 extend between faces 202 and 204 forreceiving dowel pins 89. Blade holders 92 are integrally formed withplate 200 and extend radially from cutter head 82 and beyond periphery208, with each blade holder 92 removably holding a single knife 90 at asingle, nonvariable and nonadjustable potential position.

In the most preferred form, blade holders 92 have generally trapezoidalcross sections perpendicular to the radial direction. Specifically,blade holders 92 include a major base 220 extending at an acute angle inthe order of 30° to faces 202 and 204 and the axial direction. Bladeholders 92 include a first side 222 extending at the acute angle of themajor base 220 and in the most preferred form is coplanar with upstreamface 202. A minor base 224 extends at an obtuse angle in the order of150° to side 222 and generally parallel to major base 220. A second side226 extends at an obtuse angle in the order of 130° relative to minorbase 224 and at an acute angle in the order of 50° to major base 220. Inthe most preferred form, the interconnections between major base 220 andsides 222 and 226 are each chamfered.

A channel 230 extends from major base 220 between sides 222 and 226 at aconstant depth, spaced from the radial ends of blade holders 92 and of awidth generally equal to the width of an individual knife 90 and forslideable receipt of knife 90. In particular, the bottom 234 of channel230 defines a knife support surface while the opposite edges of channel230 restrain the individual knife 90 to slide along a single slidedirection parallel to and on the knife support surface defined by bottom234 of channel 230. The single slide direction and the knife supportsurface extend in a plane intersecting with the axis of rotary cutter 74at an angle other than perpendicular and particularly at the acute angleof major base 220. Shoulders 232 extend from the opposite edges ofchannel 230 spaced from bottom 234 of channel 230 at a distancegenerally equal to the thickness of an individual knife 90 and forslideable receipt of knife 90 parallel to the knife support surfacedefined by bottom 234. In the most preferred form, shoulders 232 have anouter surface coextensive with major base 220.

One or more detents 236 are provided in channel 230 for holding knife 90in channel 230. In the most preferred form, detent 236 is integrallyformed as a single component with the knife support surface defined bybottom 234 and blade holder 92. Specifically, detent 236 includes anincline surface 240 extending at a very small acute angle in the orderof 8° from bottom 234 away from side 222. Surface 240 terminates in astop surface 242 extending generally perpendicular to bottom 234, withstop surface 242 having a height above bottom 234 generally equal to thethickness of knife 90. The sides 244 of detent 236 can have any desiredconfiguration such as planar extending generally perpendicular to bottom234. In the preferred form, a groove 246 extends from bottom 234 fromside 226 to stop surface 242 and in the most preferred form of a widthgenerally equal to and preferably slightly wider than stop surface 242.A blade backstop 248 shown as first and second projections on radiallyopposite sides of detent 236 extends from side 226 and above bottom 234,with backstop 248 having an outer surface coextensive with major base220 in the most preferred form.

Apertures 91 are of a size and position in knives 90 for slideablereceipt of detents 236. In particular, to install knife 90, knife 90 ispositioned to slide on bottom 234 in channel 230 below shoulders 232.Knife 90 can been be slid in the single slide direction into channel 230with the lower surface abutting with bottom 234 defining the knifesupport surface until the rear edge of knife 90 engages incline surface240. The rear edge will ride up on incline surface 240 until aperture 91aligns with detent 236 at which time knife 90 will return to a planarcondition due to the resiliency of knife 90. Thus, knife 90 is held frommoving in a radial direction by abutment with the opposite edges ofchannel 230, is held from moving in a direction perpendicular to bottom234 by abutment with shoulders 232 and bottom 234, is held from movingin a first direction parallel to bottom 234 and perpendicular to theradial direction further into channel 230 by abutment of the rear edgeof knife 90 with backstop 248 and is held from moving in the oppositedirection by abutment of the stop surface 242 with aperture 91. Thus,knife 90 is removably attached to blade holder 92, abuts with the knifesupport surface defined by bottom 234, and is held at the angle of theknife support surface.

Knife 90 can be removed from blade holders 92 by inserting a tip of ascrewdriver or similar tool into groove 246 and beneath knife 90. Thetool can be pushed or pried to flex knife 90 until the lower surface ofknife 90 adjacent detent 236 is spaced greater than stop surface 240from bottom 234 such that knife 90 can be slid from channel 230. It canbe appreciated that the resiliency of knife 90 allows knife 90 to flexsufficiently to allow removal of detent 236 from aperture 91.

It should be appreciated that blade holders 92 allow the installationand removal of knives 90 without requiring any screws, fasteners or thelike to be loosened or removed. Specifically, knives 90 are simply slidand snapped into place without the use of screws, fasteners or clamps,with the resiliency of knives 90 themselves being utilized to help holdthem in place. Thus, installation and removal can be easily and quicklyaccomplished without any specialized tools and without considerableskill or expertise. As cutter head 82 is formed as a single componentwith no moving or flexible parts, rotary cutter 74 can be quicklyassembled and manufactured from a few parts, and cutter head 82 is notsubject to breakage or other deterioration due to age or use.

Additionally, it can be appreciated that blade holders 92 and cutterhead 82 integrally formed as a single component provide advantages inholding knives 90 at the correct orientation to increase cuttingefficiency while reducing wear and in doing so to minimize the servicingtime and difficulty. Specifically, blade holders 92 can be machinedprecisely enough so that knives 90 engage die 42 at the correct angle toprovide high quality cuts and to reduce the tendency to damage the faceof die 42 or the tendency of excessive wear to knives 90. Specifically,blade holders 92 can not be varied and do not require adjustmentrelative to die 42 due to their integral formation and in this regard infact prevent adjustment especially by relatively unskilled operators.Particularly, channels 230 can be accurately machined relative to theaxis of cutter head 82, and dowel pins 89 accurately position cutterhead 82 relative to cylindrical mount 86 and thus to center shaft 80 anddie 42. Additionally, blade holders 92 only allow attachment of knives90 at the single, nonvariable and nonadjustable, potential position. Inparticular, it is not possible for knives 90 to be attached to bladeholders 92 at any other position moved in any direction parallel orperpendicular to knives 90 except in the single, potential position.Prior clamping type blade holders allowed the knives to be canted orotherwise adjusted relative to the blade holders. According to thepreferred teachings of the present invention, it is not possible foranyone including skilled operators and especially unskilled operators toposition knives 90 at any other position than the specifically machinedand designed single, potential position.

Suitable provisions are provided to rotate rotary cutter 74 about itsaxis. In the preferred form, rotary cutter 74 is belt-driven by a motor76. In particular, a toothed pulley 250 is suitably secured tocylindrical mount 86 by any conventional approach. In the most preferredform, a circular plate 252 is axially positioned between pulley 250 andcylindrical mount 86 and extends generally radially from the axisdefined by center shaft 80 to an extent considerably larger than pulley250 and cylindrical mount 86.

According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, rotarycutter assembly 11 includes a combination guard and belt tensionerassembly 260. In particular, a generally planar motor mount 262 issuitably secured to the cooker/extruder and positioned spaced from andgenerally tangentially to die 42, rotary cutter 74 and the axis definedby center shaft 80, with motor mount 262 being arranged vertically inthe preferred form. Motor mount 262 extends axially greater thancircular plate 252 and less than pulley 250. Additionally, motor mount262 has an extent tangential to die 42 generally equal to andparticularly slightly larger than die 42. Motor mount 262 can be shapedto accommodate other components associated with the cooker/extruder orwith the production of food products such as an angled flange. Motor 76is suitably mounted to motor mount 262 such as by dowel pins and/orbolts. Motor 76 includes a pulley 264 mounted to its shaft rotatableabout an axis generally parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotarycutter 74 defined by center shaft 80.

Assembly 260 includes a first guard quarter 266 and a guard half 268with guard quarter 266 being stationary with respect to motor 76 andguard half 268 being moveable relative to motor 76 and in the mostpreferred form pivotal relative to motor 76 and guard quarter 266 aboutan axis parallel to and spaced from the axes of motor 76 and rotarycutter 74. Guard quarter 266 includes an arcuate bracket 270 suitablysecured to motor 76 in the preferred form, but it could be secured in astationary manner relative to motor 76 in other manners including butnot limited to being secured to motor mount 262, the cooker/extruder, orthe like. Bracket 270 is positioned axially intermediate motor 76 andpulley 264 and generally at the axial extent but slightly greater thanmotor mount 262. Bracket 270 arches around and generally straddles themotor shaft and pulley 264.

Guard quarter 266 further includes an enclosure 272 having a generallyplanar top 274, a closed first end 276 generally on the opposite side ofpulley 264 than motor mount 262, a second open end 278 intermediatepulley 264 and motor mount 262, a closed first side 280 and an opensecond side 282. The lower edges of end 276 and side 280 are secured tobracket 270 such as by bolts, with end 276 and side 280 having agenerally arcuate shape. Open end 278 and the end edges of bracket 270,top 274, and side 280 generally correspond to and are generally coplanarwith motor mount 262. Thus, guard quarter 266 receives a portion ofpulley 264 and is spaced from pulley 250.

Guard half 268 is generally parallelepiped in shape having a closed top284, a closed bottom 286, a closed first end 288, a closed second end290, a closed side 292 and an open side 294. Side 294 is positionedintermediate pulley 264 and closed side 292. Guard half 268 is pivotablymounted to and moveable relative to guard quarter 266 such as by apivotal joint 296 about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axes ofrotary cutter 74 and motor 76 between an open position and a closedposition. The edges of tops 274 and 284 and of bracket 270 and bottom286 abut, and ends 276 and 288 are coextensive in the closed position inthe preferred form shown. Bottom 286 includes a first cutout 297 whichcorresponds to the arcuate shape of bracket 270 for receiving pulley 264and/or the motor shaft of motor 76 when quarter 266 and half 268 are ina closed position. Guard half 268 has a length greater than quarter 266and extends beyond pulley 250 in the closed position. Bottom 286 furtherincludes a second cutout 298 for receiving generally one-half of pulley250 in the closed position. An idler 300 is rotatably mounted betweentop 284 and bottom 286 and extends outward of half 268 beyond open side294. In the most preferred form, idler 300 is adjustably mounted such asby the use of lost motion slots so that the extent of idler 300 outwardof half 268 can be adjusted. Guard half 268 receives a portion(remaining from guard quarter 266) of pulley 264 and a portion of pulley250 in the closed position and allows access to pulleys 250 and 264 inits open position.

Assembly 260 further includes a housing 302. In particular and in thepreferred form shown, a hinge mount 304 is suitably secured to thecooker/extruder and positioned generally parallel to motor mount 262 andon the opposite side of rotary cutter 74. A cover 306 of a generally Lshape includes a first wall 308 having a lower edge pivotally mounted tothe upper edge of hinge mount 304 and a second wall 310 extendinggenerally perpendicular to first wall 308. Cover 306 is pivotal relativeto hinge mount 304 about an axis which is perpendicular to the axes ofmotor 76, rotary cutter 74 and guard half 268 between a closed,enclosure, or guard position and an open or access position. In theclosed position, first wall 308 is coplanar with hinge mount 304 andparallel to and spaced from motor mount 262 and the second wall 310 isgenerally parallel to and spaced from die 42 and having its free edgeresting upon the upper edge of motor mount 262. In the open position,first wall 308 is generally perpendicular to hinge mount 304 and extendsaway from motor mount 262 and with wall 310 extending generally parallelto motor mount 262 and hinge mount 304. Thus, in the access position,wall 310 is spaced from mount 262 to allow access to rotary cutter 74.

Wall 310 includes an opening 312 through which pulley 250 extends whencover 306 is in its closed position. In the most preferred form, opening312 is oval shape having a major axis perpendicular to the hinge axisbetween cover 306 and hinge mount 304 to minimize the size of opening312 while still allowing pivotal movement of cover 306 relative torotary cutter 74. Plate 252 has a size larger than opening 312, withwall 310 of cover 306 located intermediate plate 252 and pulley 250 inthe closed position of cover 306.

Housing 302 further includes a receptacle or second guard quarter 314secured to and moveable with cover 306 relative to rotary cutter 74 andto guard half 268. Guard quarter 314 includes a closed top 316, a firstclosed end 318 on the opposite side of pulley 250 than motor mount 262in the closed position, a second open end 320, a closed side 322, and anopen side 324, with the bottom of quarter 314 being formed and definedby wall 310. In the closed position, guard quarter 314 receives aportion of pulley 250 and is spaced from pulley 264 while in the openposition is spaced from pulley 250. In the closed position of guard half268 and cover 306, open side 324 is coextensive with open side 294, top316 is coextensive with tops 274 and 284, and closed end 318 isgenerally coextensive with end 290. A suitable securing mechanism suchas a latch 325 between ends 290 and 318 can be provided to removablysecure guard half 268 to guard quarter 314. A continuous, flaccid membersuch as a belt 326 shown as a timing belt extends around and betweenpulleys 250 and 264 and which is engaged by idler 300 when cover 306 andguard half 268 are in the closed position.

In the closed positions, guard quarters 266 and 314 and guard half 268receive and enclose pulleys 250 and 264 and timing belt 326 andgenerally prevent access by personnel, clothing and the like to pulleys250 and 264 and timing belt 326. Specifically, pulley 264 and theC-shaped portion of belt 326 on the same side of motor mount 262 aspulley 264 are received by first guard quarter 266 and guard half 268.Additionally, pulley 250 and the C-shaped portion of belt 326 on thesame side of motor mount 262 as pulley 250 are received by second guardquarter 314 and guard half 268. Additionally, motor mount 262, walls 308and 310, and hinge mount 304 define an enclosure for rotary cutter 74 tothereby retain the food products cut by knives 90 in an uncontaminatedenvironment and to prevent engagement of the cut food products with thedrive comprising pulley 250 and belt 326. In this regard, circular plate252 acts as a slinger to prevent exiting of the cut food productsthrough opening 312. Thus, assembly 260 functions as both the guard forthe drive including pulleys 250 and 264 and belt 326 but also definesthe enclosure for the food products around rotary cutter 74.Additionally, the engagement of idler 300 tensions belt 326 aroundpulleys 250 and 264. It should be appreciated that tension on belt 326by idler 300 can be adjusted by utilizing an adjustable latch 325, bymoving idler 300 relative to guard half 268, or by other means.Additionally, it should be appreciated that guard half 268 in its closedposition extends over, abuts with and prevents pivoting of cover 306 andguard quarter 314 about its axis from its closed position to its openposition unless securement by latch 326 is released and guard half 268is moved from its closed position to a noninterfering position relativeto cover 306.

If access is desired, latch 325 can be released to allow guard half 268to be pivoted from its closed position to its access position. In thepreferred form, latch 325 is of the type which can be opened without theuse of tools such as but not limited to an overcenter type. Once guardhalf 268 is moved from its closed position, idler 300 is removed frombelt 326 so that it is no longer under tension. Thus, it can beappreciated that assembly 260 performs multiple functions as it performsas a guard and also as a belt tensioner. With guard half 268 in its openposition and the tension on belt 326 removed, belt 326 can be removedfrom pulleys 250 and 264. After belt 326 is removed, cover 306 can bepivoted from its closed position to its open position. It should beappreciated that cover 306 can be moved without the use of tools.Additionally, in the open position, wall 310 is parallel to motor mount262 at a spacing greater than the diametric extent of die 42 andspecifically by the height of wall 308 to maximize the space forservicing rotary cutter 74 and/or die 42. It should be appreciated thatall components of assembly 260 remain secured relative to thecooker/extruder and are not removed so that the risk of misplacement iseliminated. Additionally, it is only necessary to release the singlelatch 325 with all of the other components being secured by theinterfitting relation of guard half 268 therewith.

After die 42 and/or rotary cutter 74 has been serviced or replaced,assembly 260 can be moved to its closed position by simply reversing theprocedure for moving to its open position.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have beenexplained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one havingordinary skill in the art. For example, although apparatus 11 of themost preferred form includes the combination of several unique featuresbelieved to obtain synergistic results, apparatus could be constructedaccording to the teachings of the present invention including suchfeatures singly or in other combinations. Specifically, rotary cutters74 could be driven in other manners including but not limited to thetypes shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,439 including provisions for slidingmotor 76 and removably coupling motor 76 to rotary cutter 74 or byutilizing stationary shaft motors. Similarly, although assembly 260 inthe preferred form is for a drive including a first element in the formof motor 76 and a second element in the form of rotary cutter 74,assembly 260 could be utilized in connection with other types of driveshaving first and second elements of differing types. Likewise, rotarycutter 74 and assembly 260 each includes a combination of uniquefeatures believed to obtain synergistic results. Such features may haveapplication according to the teachings of the present invention in othertypes and constructions of rotary cutters 74 or assemblies 260. Otherconstructions may be contemplated according to the teachings of thepresent invention.

Likewise, although guard quarter 266 is shown as being unmovablerelative to the first element shown as motor 76 in the preferred form,guard quarter 266 could also be moveable relative thereto as long as itis fixed when second guard quarter 314 and guard half 268 are in theirclosed positions.

Further, although shown as being solid in the preferred form, guardquarters 266 and/or 314 and/or guard half 268 could be completely orpartially formed of screen or similar constructions which can allowobservation and passage of air but which is closed to passage ofpersonnel, clothing and like objects.

Furthermore, although in the preferred form motor 76 and rotary cutter74 are rotatably interconnected by pulleys 250 and 264 fixed relativethereto and utilizing belt 326, assemblages of other types andvariations can be utilized for rotatably interconnecting rotary cutter74 and motor 76 according to the teachings of the present invention.Additionally, the guard for such rotatably interconnected assemblagescan be varied from the type shown in the preferred form according to theteachings of the present invention including but not limited to guardswhich keep the assemblage in a sealed environment where vacuum conveyersare utilized for the cut food products.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to beindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotary cutter for a die comprising, incombination: a cutter head adapted to be rotate about an axis relativeto the die, with the cutter head including a periphery; at least a firstblade holder extending radially from the cutter head beyond theperiphery, with the lade holder including a knife support surfaceextending in a plane intersecting with the axis at an angle other thanperpendicular; and a knife removably attached to the blade holder at asingle, nonvariable and nonadjustable potential position, with the knifein the single, nonvariable and nonadjustable potential position abuttingwith the knife support surface and being held at the angle of the knifesupport surface, with the blade holder and the cutter head beingintegrally formed as a single component such that the angle of the knifesupport surface an the knife attached to the blade holder can not bevaried relative to the axis, with the knife including an aperture, withthe blade holder including a detent for receipt in the aperture forselectively preventing sliding of the knife parallel to the supportsurface, and with the detent being integrally formed as a singlecomponent with the knife support surface.
 2. The rotary cutter of claim1 further comprising, in combination: shoulders extending from oppositeedges of the knife support surface and spaced from the knife supportsurface for slideable receipt of the knife parallel to the knife supportsurface.
 3. The rotary cutter of claim 2 with the knife including acutting edge, a rear edge, and first and second side edges, with theaperture being spaced from the cutting, rear, and side edges.
 4. Therotary cutter of claim 3 with the detent including an inclined surfaceextending at a small acute angle to the knife support surfaceterminating in a stop surface extending generally perpendicular to theknife support surface.
 5. The rotary cutter of claim 4 furthercomprising, in combination: a groove formed in one of the knife and theknife support surface, with the knife being flexible to remove thedetent from the aperture by receipt of a tool in the groove and betweenthe knife and the knife support surface to flex the knife to remove thedetent from the aperture.
 6. The rotary cutter of claim 1 with the knifebeing restrained to slide along a single slide direction parallel to theknife support surface, with the knife including an aperture; and withthe blade holder including a detent for receipt in the aperture forselectively preventing sliding of the knife parallel to the supportsurface along the single slide direction.
 7. The rotary cutter of claim6 further comprising, in combination: a groove formed in one of theknife and the knife support surface adapted to receive a tool betweenthe knife and the knife support surface to flex the knife to remove thedetent from the aperture.
 8. The rotary cutter of claim 7 with thedetent being integrally formed as a single component with the knifesupport surface, with the detent including an inclined surface extendingat a small acute angle to the knife support surface terminating in astop surface extending generally perpendicular to the knife supportsurface.
 9. The rotary cutter of claim 8 with the knife including acutting edge, a rear edge, and first and second side edges, with theaperture being spaced from the cutting, rear, and side edges.
 10. Therotary cutter of claim 1 further comprising, in combination: a firstelement rotatable about a first axis and including a first pulley, asecond pulley included on the cutter ad, with the axis of the cutterhead being a second axis; a continuous, flaccid member extending betweenthe first and second pulleys, with the first and second axes being in aspaced parallel relation; a first guard quarter; a second guard quarter;and a guard half, with the first guard quarter being fixed relative tothe first element and receiving a portion of the first pulley and beingspaced from the second pulley, with the second guard quarter beingmovable relative to the cutter head between a guard position receiving aportion of the second pulley and spaced from the first pulley and anaccess position being spaced from the second pulley, with the guard halfbeing movable relative to the first and second guard quarters between aclosed position receiving a remaining portion of the first pulley andalso receiving a remaining portion of the second pulley and an openposition allowing access to the first and second pulleys, with the guardhalf being secured relative to the second guard quarter to prevent thesecond guard quarter from being moved from the guard position to thesuccess position when the guard half is secured relative to the secondguard quarter.
 11. The rotary cutter of claim 1 further comprising, incombination: a first element rotatable about a first axis, with the axisof the cutter head being a second axis spaced from and parallel to thefirst axis; and an assemblage rotatably interconnecting the firstelement and the cutter head, comprising, in combination: a planar mountextending generally tangential to the cutter head and spaced from thesecond axis; a cover including a first wall spaced from the planar mountand opposite of the second axis than the planar mount, with the coverfurther including a second wall extending from the first wall, with thecover being pivotal between an enclosure position and an accessposition, with the first and second walls and the planar mount definingan enclosure for the cutter head in the closed position and the secondwall being spaced from the planar mount in the access position to allowaccess to the cutter head; and a guard receiving the assemblage andpivotal about a fourth axis between a guard position and an openposition, with the guard in the guard position preventing the cover frompivoting from the enclosure position and allowing the cover to pivotfrom the enclosure position to the access position in the open position.12. A rotary cutter for a die comprising, in combination: a cutter headadapted to be rotated about an axis relative to the die; at least afirst blade holder extending radially from the cutter head; a knifeincluding an aperture, with the blade holder including a knife supportsurface; and a groove formed in one of the knife and the knife supportsurface, with the knife being restrained to slide along a single slidedirection parallel to the knife support surface, with the blade holderincluding a detent for receipt in the aperture for selectivelypreventing sliding of the knife parallel to the support surface alongthe single slide direction, and with the knife being flexible to removethe detent from the aperture by receipt of a tool in the groove andbetween the knife and the knife support surface.
 13. The rotary cutterof claim 12 with the detent being integrally formed as a singlecomponent with the knife support surface.
 14. The rotary cutter of claim13 with the detent including an inclined surface extending at a smallacute angle to the knife support surface terminating in a stop surfaceextending generally perpendicular to the knife support surface.
 15. Therotary cutter of claim 14 with the knife including a cutting edge, arear edge, and first and second side edges, with the aperture beingspaced from the cutting, rear, and side edges.
 16. The rotary cutter ofclaim 15 further comprising, in combination: shoulders extending fromopposite edges of the knife support surface and spaced from the knifesupport surface for slideable receipt of the knife parallel to the knifesupport surface.
 17. The rotary cutter of claim 12 further comprising,in combination: a first element rotatable about a first axis, with theaxis of the cutter head being a second axis spaced from and parallel tothe first axis; and an assemblage rotatably interconnecting the firstelement and the cutter head, comprising, in combination: a planar mountextending generally tangential to the cutter head and spaced from thesecond axis; a cover including a first wall spaced from the planar mountand opposite of the second axis than the planar mount, with the coverfurther including a second wall extending from the first wall, with thecover being pivotal between an enclosure position and an accessposition, with the first and second walls and the planar mount definingan enclosure for the cutter head in the closed position and the secondwall being spaced from the planar mount in the access position to allowaccess to the cutter head; and a guard receiving the assemblage andpivotal about a fourth axis between a guard position and an openposition, with the guard in the guard position preventing the cover frompivoting from the enclosure position and allowing the cover to pivotfrom the enclosure position to the access position in the open position.18. The rotary cutter of claim 17 with the second wall including anopening through which a portion of the assemblage can extend in theguard position, with the cutter head including a plate rotatable aboutthe second axis with the cutter head and of a size larger than theopening.
 19. The rotary cutter of claim 18 with the cover furtherincluding a receptacle formed on the second wall for receiving theassemblage, with the guard being pivotal relative to the receptacle,with the receptacle and the guard enclosing the assemblage in theenclosure position and the guard position and allowing access to theassemblage in the open position.
 20. The rotary cutter of claim 19 withthe assemblage including a first pulley connected to the first element,a second pulley connected to the cutter head, and a continuous, flaccidmember extending between the first and second pulleys, with the secondpulley extending through the opening in the enclosure position.
 21. Therotary cutter of claim 20 further comprising, in combination: an idlersecured to the guard and adapted to engage the continuous, flaccidmember when the guard is in the guard position and to be disengaged fromthe continuous, flaccid member when the guard is in the open position.22. The rotary cutter claim 12 further comprising, in combination: afirst element rotatable about a first axis and including a first pulley,a second pulley included on the cutter head, with the axis of the cutterhead being a second axis; a continuous, flaccid member extending betweenthe first and second pulleys, with the first and second axes being in aspaced parallel relation; a first guard quarter; a second guard quarter;and a guard half, with the first guard quarter being fixed relative tothe first element and receiving a portion of the first pulley and beingspaced from the second pulley, with the second guard quarter beingmovable relative to the cutter head between a guard position receiving aportion of the second pulley and spaced from the first pulley and anaccess position being spaced from the second pulley, with the guard halfbeing movable relative to the first and second guard quarters between aclosed position receiving a remaining portion of the first pulley andalso receiving a remaining portion of the second pulley and an openposition allowing access to the first and second pulleys, with the guardhalf being secured relative to the second guard quarter to prevent thesecond guard quarter from being moved from the guard position to thesuccess position when the guard half is secured relative to the secondguard quarter.
 23. The rotary cutter of claim 22 further comprising, incombination: an idler secured to the guard half and adapted to engagethe continuous, flaccid member when the guard half is located in theclosed position.
 24. The rotary cutter of claim 23 with the second guardquarter being pivotal about a third axis between the guard position andthe access position, with the guard half abutting with the second guardquarter in the guard position.
 25. The rotary cutter of claim 24 withthe guard half being pivotal about a fourth axis between the closedposition and the open position, with the fourth axis being perpendicularto the third axis.
 26. The rotary cutter of claim 25 with the fourthaxis being parallel to and spaced from the first and second axes. 27.The rotary cutter of claim 26 further comprising, in combination: acover pivotable out the third axes, with the second guard quarter beingsecured to the cover, with the cover including an opening through whichthe second pulley extends in the guard position, with the guard half inthe closed position abutting with the cover in the guard position toprevent pivoting of the cover about the third axis.
 28. The rotarycutter of claim 27 further comprising, in combination: a plate adaptedto be rotatable with the cutter head and of a size larger than theopening, with the cover located intermediate the plate and the secondpulley in the guard position.
 29. The rotary cutter of claim 28 furthercomprising, in combination: a planar mount extending generallytangential to the cutter head and spaced from the second axis, with thecover including a wall extending generally parallel to and spaced fromthe planar mount and opposite of the second axis than the planar mount,with the planar mount, the plate, the cover and the wall defining anenclosure for the cutter head.
 30. A rotary cutter for a die comprising,in combination: a cutter head adapted to be rotated about an axisrelative to the die; at least a first blade holder extending radiallyfrom the cutter head; a knife including an aperture, with the bladeholder including a knife support surface, with the knife beingrestrained to slide along a single slide direction parallel to the knifesupport surface, and with the blade holder including a detent forreceipt in the aperture for selectively preventing sliding of the knifeparallel to the support surface along the single slide direction, withthe detent being integrally formed as a single component with the knifesupport surface.
 31. The rotary cutter of claim 30 with the detentincluding an inclined surface extending at a small acute angle to theknife support surface terminating in a stop surface extending generallyperpendicular to the knife support surface.
 32. The rotary cutter ofclaim 31 with the knife including a cutting edge, a rear edge, and firstand second side edges, with the aperture being spaced from the cutting,rear, and side edges.
 33. The rotary cutter of claim 32 furthercomprising, in combination: shoulders extending from opposite edges ofthe knife support surface and spaced from the knife support surface forslideable receipt of the knife parallel to the knife support surface.